MUSKEGON, Mich. — In August, 900 sixth through eighth graders will start classes at the all-new Charles Hackley Middle School.
The construction of the new school building project started more than two years ago.
“It'll be bittersweet because our kids deserve this, they deserve the best possible chance for getting their education for continuing forward and their post-secondary endeavors,” said Superintendent Matthew Cortez.
The new building includes a media center, 11,000 square foot gymnasium, a mass outdoor football field and a math, science engineering and technology lab.
The building features everything top-of-the-line, from flexible chairs that can be sat in five different ways to mobile desks for teachers. The desks allow the instructor to teach and attend to students without having to leave their teaching materials behind.
“This is about a $33 million investment through the bond system and this is going to bring us a 21st-century learning environment,” Cortez said. "As you tour the building, you're going to see the atmosphere is what is really conducive for our students to do better, better education and learning easier.”
The state-of-the-art building is designed with safety in mind, from the shape of the building to the blue light lockdown alarm.
Other features include a surveillance system that allows law enforcement to see live footage from their station while at the school, a feature that comes in handy in case of an emergency.
Construction for the school was funded by a $104 million bond approved by voters in 2020, followed by the Mercy Health System donating 15 acres of land.
The building features 45 classrooms, 6 science labs, open-concept bathrooms with private stalls and a gymnasium that seats 700 people.
Cortez said he looks forward to the opening of the school.
“We’re going to continue that endeavor, continue to invest in our students and make sure that our staff have all of the tools and all of the technology that they need in order to educate kids at a 21st century level,” Cortez said.
Teachers and staff members from Muskegon Middle School will begin the process of moving into the new building as the school year ends.
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